Clothing You'll Want to Keep

A Natural Fiber Wardrobe: A Simple Guide to Getting Started

When building a natural fiber wardrobe, you're building a wardrobe that can stand the test of time. You're choosing clothing you'll want to keep. Some key elements will be a cohesive color palette, classic silhouettes, and a wardrobe where beauty and function meet. 

For our collections, we use all natural fibers for a variety of reasons. They tend to be more comfortable than any synthetic fiber. Natural fibers have breathable capabilities and help regulate temperature. They are beautiful and age well - no synthetic can compare. 

Natural fibers are gentle on sensitive skin, free from harsh chemicals and irritants often found in synthetic fabrics, making them soft and safe for your skin—especially important for postpartum or nursing moms.

We'll dive a little deeper into three of my favorite and most wearable natural fibers.

LINEN: A favorite fabric for the warmer months. Linen, which comes from the flax plant, is known as a natural wicking fabric because it can collect up to 20% moisture before it feels damp. Linen also gets stronger when wet and has some natural antimicrobial properties which help eliminate odors. Linen is very breathable so it's perfect for year-round wear - especially when layered up with soft cotton basics, and wool and cashmere during the colder months. 

  • To spot high quality linen, the country of origin can be helpful. France and Belgium are considered the best environments for growing flax and Ireland and Italy are recognized as the best for weaving the flax into linen.
  • The dye should be even and rich.
  • When you roll or bunch the fabric in your hand, good linen will wrinkle but it will also bounce back slightly.
  • Because of the moisture wicking properties, pure linen it should feel slightly cool to the touch.

COTTON: Nothing is better than cotton for year-round wear and I love it because it's affordable, comfortable and easy to care for. Cotton is the perfect material for everyday dresses and layering pieces with your other natural fibers.

  • High quality cotton will feel soft, not scratchy.
  • One thing to note is even fibers made with organic cotton IF they are conventionally produced and not produced according to GOTS – will contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, azo dyes, dioxin, and heavy metals.
  • GOTS-certified organic cotton will have no synthetic or harmful chemicals in the growing process, manufacturing or packaging process, and every part of the process is of the highest ethical standards.

WOOL: I love wool for jackets, scarves, socks, and of course sweaters. 

  • Since wool can come from different animals, there’s a lot of texture variety.
  • The finer the wool, the higher the quality. 
  • High quality wool will be 100% wool or a blend of wool and other natural fibers like cashmere or silk so always check the label for these details.
  • High quality wool should be densely woven and bounce back when lightly pulled
  • I personally choose Merino Wool over cashmere for sustainable reasons. On average, one Merino sheep can produce 8 to 10 sweaters, while it takes 5 to 6 cashmere goats to make one sweater.
  • Alpaca has been a lifelong favorite, proving to be one the warmest, coziest pieces in my wardrobe. Alpaca wool is softer than sheep’s wool and often compared to cashmere in feel.

Steps to Build a Natural Fiber Wardrobe

Building a natural fiber wardrobe may feel overwhelming at first, or maybe it's exciting for you - the key is taking one step at a time, so you can slowly create a functional and beautiful wardrobe that's affordable and feels like you (especially because it's long-lasting fibers and not based on trendy styles).

Take Inventory of Your Current Wardrobe

Start by reviewing what you already own. Decide which pieces you want to keep, donate, or sell. Focus on keeping items made from natural fibers and timeless styles that you enjoy wearing through different seasons of life.

Think Long-Term: Timelessness, Not Trends

Choose pieces that will outlast the trends. Find what styles work for you and that you feel truly comfortable in and fit your own lifestyle - not someone else's. These are your wardrobe staples, the foundational pieces that you can work with each time you go to your closet.

Holistically Curate Your Closet

Don’t think of your closet as a whole bunch of individual pieces - think of it as one unit - pieces to a larger puzzle. Your items should work together, with a cohesive color palette, build off one another, and make your closet more wearable with pieces you're drawn to time and time again. Choose colors that go with your skin tone, eyes, and hair color - don't follow trends, follow your own coloring. 

Buy Slowly 

Let your wardrobe be a peaceful process. You don’t need to buy everything at once—instead you can slowly build as your budget allows and as you find the right pieces, using your chosen color palette. Think about what gaps you need to fill in your wardrobe to make it more wearable. Remember it's quality over quantity. Look for GOTS certification if you want the highest ethical standards.

The Everyday Dress

You may be pining for all the gorgeous linen dresses, puffy sleeves and cinched bodices. And those have a place in your closet (I'm extremely partial to linen dresses and every floral dress, so I get it). But an easy, everyday dress is essential. I couldn't find a simple, feminine, soft and cozy dress that wasn't too frilly or frumpy - but just right, so I made one for Adorned Organics. Get an everyday dress that can take you from the garden to the kitchen, pre-pregnancy to nursing, that is both beautiful and functional. 

Foundational Layers

Build in your foundational layers with cozy, breathable organic cotton layering pieces. A soft, stretchy, slim-fitting long-sleeve top gives you a lot more flexibility in pregnancy letting you change your outfits up with the layering pieces. We love our simple white, cropped cap sleeve tee for under our linen dresses. And of course a stretchy, cozy long-sleeve wrap top for every season in earthy, neutral colors that go with every dress, makes them even more wearable in all seasons. Organic cotton layering leggings and biker shorts with comfy, stretchy waistbands are also a favorite. And finally, organic, natural fiber bralettes and briefs complete the foundational layering pieces for your natural fiber closet.

Garment Care 101

Follow the recommended washing, drying, and storage guidelines to extend the life of your natural fiber garments. Proper care helps maintain their quality, softness, and durability over time. Check out our guide to learn more at Garment Care 101.

 

NATURAL FIBER CAPSULE CHECKLIST

(Use this checklist as a guide and inspiration not as a rulebook - make it your own!)

CORE ESSENTIALS

These are your everyday, mix-and-match pieces:

 2–3 Organic Cotton Tees and Layering Tanks (neutral + one color you love)

Long-Sleeve Organic Top (good for layering)

Wrap Top or Cardigan (organic cotton or wool for layering)

 1–2 Bottoms: Skirt or linen trousers

Everyday Dresses (versatile enough for layering or wearing solo)

Organic Nursing Dresses

SEASONAL LAYERS

Adjust with the seasons—keep these natural and cozy:

 Wool or Organic Cotton Sweaters

 Wool Coat or Jacket (for cooler seasons)

 Organic Cotton Layering Leggings

 Organic Cotton Layering Biker Shorts for Dresses

 Lightweight Linen or Cotton Wrap for all seasons

LOUNGE + INTIMATES

Soft and breathable:

 Organic Cotton Leggings or Joggers

 Organic Cotton Bralette or Undergarments

 Organic Cotton Sleepwear Set

WINTER ADDITIONS (if needed):

 Thermal Wool Base Layer or Leggings

 Wool Socks or Hats

Wearing natural fiber dresses with my mother since the beginning :)